Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-12

in North Carolina, and experts have
pronounced this latter stone superior
to that of Georgia.
Sienna occurs in number of places.
II is used rs sienna paint, and is also
mixed with other paints. The finds
here are free from grit, and of beau.
tiiul quality. Fifty tons have recently
been shipped from the Hathaway mine
to New York by company of that
city. Tale, which is used for making
lsva-tops for gas-burners. as n lubricant,
and for mixing with paints, has been
opened in Cherokee, Macon, and
Swain counties. There is great de-
mand for this mineral, and its quarry
ing promises TO be large interest in
that section. There are two mines be-
ing worked within five miles of Muir
ply, on the Marietta and North Geor.
Ria railroad, and one in Red Marble
Gap.
GOLD.
Gold abounds throughout this couu-
try, and is being worked ut Brasstown,
Cherokee county. At that point both
the placer and vein ores are found.
Copper indications are plentiful in the
western part of Cherokee county in the
neighboThood of the famous Ducktown
Coppcr-Mines. These latter, by the
way, have recently been leased for the
purpose OF being worked again.
MICA.
The mica market is dull at present,
made so by the recent discoveries of
mica in Canada. Probably the best
mica prospects in the United States are
in Macon and jackson counties, n. G.
Mica mines have been worked for
number OF years in those counties, and
the prospect for further discoveries are
as good rs ever.
CoBUNDUM.
This mineral, which is next to the
diamond in hardness. is in virtue of
this property highly valued. The de-
mand for it far exceeds the production.
Steel and others metals are cut and
polished by it. At Corundum-Hill
mine, in Macon county, sorters are
employed to pick out sapphire, oriental
ruby, and other corundum jewels from
the ordinary corundum. The only CO.
rundum mines in the United States are
in Macon county, n. c., and Rabun
county, Ga.
The genthite, which is a low grade
nickel ore, is found throughout five
counties in the Murphy bowl, and
while it is Of but little value itself may,
as as the case in New Caledonia, lead
to the discovery of a more productive
ore.
Then you think there is a great flu
ture for Murphy and the surrounding
country?
Yes, great future, for not only that
section but for the whole OF Western
North Carolina. Indeed, development
and discovery have just commenced.
They are in their infancy. There is no
telling what its mountains and valleys
may yield up. / have only touched
upon what is in sight.
INVESTMENTS.
Has much money been invested there
in and around Murphy?
A great deal and a great deal more
will come. The railroad connections
must result in the establishment
of large furnece plants. The iron and
lime are already there, and coal is not
far distant on the line of the roads.
Several hundred thousand dollars have
been invested in Murphy and the
neighborhood within the last few
months. This is not speculation money,
but the money of men who propose to
open up the country.
What cities seem to be most alive to
the importance of this country you
have been describing?
Cincinnati, Nashville, Chattanooga,
Knoxville, Atlanta, Asheville, and Rich
mOnd.
What is the syndicate you represent
doing?
Working to build the country up.
You think that all is true that has
been said about Western North Caro-
lima
No; it is not paradise, and fortunes
cannot he plucked from the trees.
Work and judicious investment, how
ever. will make it "A country unexcelled
by any on the face of the globe both as
a place to live in and place for indus
trial pursuits. Murphy will in time be
a most attractive summer resort. 1t
and its surroundings have everything
TO make it one. 1t promises to do
great things for the whole of North
Carolina and the cities in other States
that will be connected with it by rail.